Herman Culbertson

Herman Carrol Culbertson, age 69, departed this world for a joyful reunion with his eternal family on Thursday October 3. His mother, Kathleen Hampton Culbertson and his father, Amerine B. Culbertson, precede him in death. He is survived by two sons, Ronnie Culbertson and Kevin Culbertson and three daughters Michelle Peters, Tracy Culbertson and Mariah Dailey as well as two brothers, Bobby Culbertson and Eddie Culbertson and his little sis, Laurella Williams. Herman had eight grandchildren, Brooke, Joseph, Josh and Jordon Peters, Eli Anderson, Gabriel Culbertson, Casey and Sarah Culbertson and three great grandchildren, Abigail Peters and Maddilynn and Waylon Culbertson. He is also remembered by nephews and niece Stewart Culbertson, Trey Williams and Angela Williams.  Sherrie Harler, wife of 17 years and mother of Michelle, Tracy and Kevin will grieve the loss of her children’s father. Mary Joanna Hurd, loving wife to Herman for 20 years, will miss him dearly. He was the love of her life.

Herman was born in Renan, Virginia on December 6, 1949. He spent his adolescence on the family farm and orchard in Gretna. He graduated from Gretna High School in 1968 and completed courses at Central Virginia Community College.  Herman began his career employed by Babcock and Wilcox, Naval Nuclear Fuel Division as a metallurgist in the Quality Assurance Department. During his career, he won many awards. He was most proud of patenting a process, which led to greater accuracy in examining metal alloys and other materials used in B&W’s MET Lab. Later in life, he was employed by the Aerofin Corporation as a Quality Assurance Inspector. After retirement, he joined his brother, Eddie, in antiquing and auctioning at Eddie’s Coiner and Stonewall Auction Co. in Appomattox.

Herman loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He had quite the green thumb and enjoyed tending the garden and planting fruit and nut trees. He was also extremely mechanically minded and seemed to know how to fix just about anything. He passed his love of the natural world onto his children and instilled in them a strong work ethic. He was a loving father, brother and friend and will be dearly missed by all he touched in life. His bright blue eyes, his beautiful smile and the sound of his laughter will be treasured always.

In accordance to his final wishes, Herman will be cremated and his ashes will be spread at sea at his favorite fishing spot. A memorial will be held to honor his life at Thomas Terrace Baptist Church at 1 PM on Saturday October 12. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial donation to Cub Scout Pack 183 c/o Bedford Presbyterian Church, 105 W. Main Street Bedford, VA 24523 to further Herman’s devotion to the ideals of Scouting.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory of Lynchburg is assisting the family.